Statement from President Joe Biden on the Occasion of an Agreement between the Republic of Mauritius and the United Kingdom on the Status of the Chagos Archipelago
I applaud the historic agreement and conclusion of the negotiations between the Republic of Mauritius and the United Kingdom on the status of the Chagos Archipelago. It is a clear demonstration that through diplomacy and partnership, countries can overcome long-standing historical challenges to reach peaceful and mutually beneficial outcomes. This agreement affirms Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, while granting the United Kingdom the authority to exercise the sovereign rights of Mauritius with respect to Diego Garcia.
Diego Garcia is the site of a joint U.S.-UK military facility that plays a vital role in national, regional, and global security. It enables the United States to support operations that demonstrate our shared commitment to regional stability, provide rapid response to crises, and counter some of the most challenging security threats we face. The agreement secures the effective operation of the joint facility on Diego Garcia into the next century.
We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with Mauritius and the United Kingdom in upholding a free and open Indo-Pacific.
October 03, 2024 Washington, DC
Key Points of the Agreement
The United Kingdom has agreed to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, ending a long-standing dispute over the archipelago[1][2]. This historic agreement includes the following main elements:
- Mauritius will be recognized as sovereign over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia[1].
- The UK will retain control of Diego Garcia, which hosts a crucial US military base, for an initial period of 99 years[1][8].
- A new trust fund will be established to benefit Chagossians, and Mauritius will be able to implement a resettlement program on islands other than Diego Garcia[1].
- The UK will provide financial support to Mauritius, including an annual indexed payment and funding for infrastructure projects[1].
US Involvement and Interests
- The United States has a significant interest in this agreement due to its military base on Diego Garcia[2].
- The deal ensures the continued operation of this strategically important US-UK military base well into the next century[1][2].
- The agreement is reported to have the strong support of international partners, including the United States[2].
Top 6 Questions for President Biden
on the Chagos Archipelago Agreement:
Republican and Democratic Perspectives
Republican Critics:
- How can the United States ensure national security interests are safeguarded when sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago has been affirmed to Mauritius?
- Does granting Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago potentially weaken U.S. influence in the Indo-Pacific region?
- What guarantees are in place to ensure that Mauritius will maintain long-term strategic commitments for the military base on Diego Garcia?
Democratic Critics:
- How does this agreement align with the United States’ broader commitment to decolonization and supporting self-determination for affected populations, such as the Chagossians?
- What steps will be taken to address the human rights concerns of displaced Chagossian families who have sought to return to the archipelago?
- How does the agreement contribute to environmental sustainability in the Chagos Archipelago, given its significant marine biodiversity?
Sources: White House WH.gov. , Midtown Tribune
Citations:
[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/joint-statement-between-uk-and-mauritius-3-october-2024
[2] https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/uk-hands-sovereignty-chagos-islands-mauritius-deal-114457661
[3] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/10/3/uk-agrees-to-give-sovereignty-of-the-chagos-islands-to-mauritius
[4] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/03/britain-to-return-chagos-islands-to-mauritius-ending-years-of-dispute
[5] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-10-03/mauritius-government-agrees-deal-with-uk-on-chagos-archipelago
[6] https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm
[7] https://sites.google.com/site/thechagosarchipelagofacts/diego-garcia/us-uk-agreements
[8] https://thehill.com/homenews/ap/ap-international/ap-uk-hands-sovereignty-of-chagos-islands-to-mauritius-in-a-deal-to-secure-us-base/